Home teams to be named by 23:59 hours on Tuesday 14th July 2015Away teams to be named by 23:59 hours on Wednesday 15th July 2015Tactics by 23:59 hours on Thursday 16th JulyPredictions to be PM’d to Ozzy3213 by 18:00 hours on Sunday 18th July 2015

Bulls 20–20 Northampton SaintsNot too much in the front rows and similar story in the locks with Saints perhaps just shading. Bulls stronger on the flanks but Saints better at 8, not too much in the pack battle.Paige shades the 9’s but I’d take Ford ahead of Pollard currently but both combo’s close. One a piece in the centres but Saints combo probably slightly better and same again in the back 3. Close game, Saints slightly better in the backs but Loftus a tough place to win.

Bulls 25-31 Northampton SaintsSaints a step up in the front row and the second row. Feel that the backrow may be slightly closer but like the look of Isa and think Saints will get good ball. Half backs good for Saints (a good long-term pairing here). Same with centres and back 3 with Saints just being too strong and Kriel the only saving grace for Bulls. Bench not too bad for Bulls but bringing on Manoa and Burgess will be huge for Saints here and give them a big win.

Bulls 26 - 33 Northampton SaintsSaints have the international quality throughout the front 5, although Strauss and Flip will make life difficult. Back row is close, with a lot of talent for the Bulls. Half backs are stronger for Saints, and think they have a comfortable advantage in the rest of the backs too. Good matchup, but Saints are a quality side and it will tell.

Bulls 24-29 Northampton SaintsIt’s a decent Bull side with good players through it, but they just didn’t function well this season. It’s a well balanced Saints pack who would be great in the loose. I couldn’t see them dominating a scrum battle against a decent unit, but they would hold their own. One area that could be a concern is the breakdown where they lack anyone who is top class over the ball, so would have to find another way in that area. Nice halfback pairing with Hidalgo-Cline’s control and Ford’s spark, and decent outside backs gives them a comfortable win.

Bulls 20-28 Northampton SaintsCan't see much between the sides set piece wise but Saints front 5 offers more carrying and at the ruck area. Neither backrow is really balanced but there is a good power carrying game to the Saints combo. Saints halfbacks edge and think they would work well together. Think the Saints midfield would work better the other way around but feel they have a good edge on the Bulls here.

Bulls 23 - 25 Northampton Saints

Bulls 24-27 Northampton SaintsSaints better front 5 gives them a platform for their more classy backs to score points. Bulls have better Flankers and will cause saints breakdown issues but not enough.

Bulls 13 - 34 Northampton SaintsThe real contest is up front, and one test that Saints can pass with relative ease. I like the spine of the Saints side as they look sharp and electric with ball hand, but also the ability to play tactical if needed. Saints have the firepower out wide to pile on the misery for a bad Bulls season.

Chiefs 28–21 WaspsSlight scrum advantage for Welsh but Chiefs better in the locks and flanks with Vito going well at 8. Chiefs stronger at halfback and again a step up in the centres and back 3. Tough day at the office for Welsh with Chiefs very strong at home.

Chiefs 29-22 WaspsCan't see much between the set pieces and overall both sides compete well at the breakdown. Possibly a bit more carrying to the Chiefs pack though. Halfbacks one a piece but Chiefs stronger as a combo and can see them getting the midfield working well running at the space around Horne. Back threes tighter. Think both fullbacks have issues defensively. Chiefs 9-13 axis gives them the win in this one.

Chiefs 32-25 WaspsWhilst Wasps are improving, if I went man for man in these starting XV’s, only two Wasps players would make the team, and none of those are in the back line, which means that the Chiefs will do a lot more with the ball than Wasps. Wasps quality is enough to get them some points on the board, but I just think the Chiefs get more in this one.

Chiefs 32 - 28 WaspsChiefs have more WC players in key positions. Good strike runners in Wasps backline that will benefit from a strong lineout but away from home asking a little too much. Pennell a definite starter, espc now Worcester back in the AP.

Chiefs 30-24 WaspsFront rows and 2nd rows are an advantage for Chiefs but the back row is slightly closer however I don’t think Wasps will get enough front foot ball. Chiefs a slight step up at half backs and centres with Godwin appearing to go quiet at the moment. Back 3 is good for Wasps and, if they get ball, could cause issues. Steady bench for Wasps but Chiefs have good impact and strong all over.

Chiefs 31 - 28 WaspsTough one for Wasps this. Think they can get the advantage at the scrum, but the lineout and breakdown is going to be very tough against an excellent Chiefs outfit. Cruden is the class at halfback, while I think the Wasps centre combo is lacking a bit, and up against SBW and Ngatai is likely to struggle. Gets close once the benches unload, but on the road this was a big ask against such a strong side

Chiefs 24 - 22 Wasps

Chiefs 25- 22 Wasps Chiefs locks make this game easier for them. Wasps pairing lack form and not at this level. Chiefs also have classier backs to stretch wasps out wide

Chiefs 24 - 19 WaspsWasps can match the Chiefs industry up front, but just lacks the star quality of Chiefs pack. The quick service from Pulu and Cruden allows Chiefs to play quick and fast rugby. Wasps have some creativity and magic to keep Chiefs under pressure, with Moala's power causing issues. Unsure about Gilroy at 15 would be much more useful on the wing for me. Tough day for Wasps, but Chiefs will win out.

Waratahs 27–22 Bath RugbyNot a lot in the front rows a one a piece in the engine room (Skelton/Whitelock combo would be tasty). Tah’s stronger on the flanks but Falateu a step up on Palu. Tah’s a touch better in both halfback positions and again the same in the centres. Bath just shade the back 3 but Tah’s another side very good at home and strong throughout.

Waratahs 29-29 Bath RugbyReally tough to split. I’d take the Bath pack and the Waratahs backs. Whilst I’m not a fan of the Bath back row, it has worked for Wales at international level, so you have to accept that it works here and gives them some decent ball to play with. The main issue they have are a couple of defensive frailties in the back line, and against this Tahs backline that’s a problem, as they can score from anywhere. Can’t separate this one, sorry.

Waratahs 33-30 Bath RugbySlight scrum edge to Tahs with the 2nd row helping them to lock it down. Bath can cause a few issues at the lineout though. Breakdown wise hard to separate the sides but Tahs with more of a carrying game through the pack. Halfbacks edge to Tahs. 10s tight but Phipps ahead of Wiggles. Love the power of the Tahs back three but midfield battle fairly tight. Feel Tahs have enough about them for this one.

Waratahs 30-25 Bath RugbyBath a bit stronger in front row but keeping an eye on whether Lee comes back strong or not. Personally prefer the Tahs 2nd row but Bath no shirkers here. Back row fairly even with Bath having a Welsh back row but Tahs having good form here. Tahs a step up at half back and this will help their centres. Bath strong defensively in centres though so won’t let much through. Bath good out wide but Tahs very strong and will get the better ball. Better impact from Bath will bring them back into it but not enough.

Waratahs 27 -29 Bath RugbyBath stronger in the set piece, both lineout and scrum should go well. Tough to call round the park, Hooper will have plenty of success at the breakdown, and I think Bath lack a bit of heavy duty carrying, with their locks being excellent but in the athletic mould. Fancy Waratahs to win the carrying battle, and I’ll call the breakdown evens. In the backs, Waratahs slightly stronger at both half back positions, while both sets of outside backs look quality. I’d favour the Bath centres slightly, while Waratahs stronger in the back 3. Bath have a better bench as you would expect with our squads, and that will just about get them home

Waratahs 26 - 34 Bath RugbyWaratahs are going to struggle containing the Bath backline, who are pretty much electric and have lots of tries from all over the place - would start Williams in the back three at expense of North currently. Bath more than match front five and provide a great platform to control the game.

Waratahs 28 - 28 Bath Rugby

Waratahs 29-26 Bath RugbyWaratahs have home advantage and their backrow are better in each position and set the tone. One a piece at half backs with Phipps and Sanchez standouts. Tahs more dangerous in the backs and can see them scoring more.

Waratahs 26 - 29 Bath RugbyBath have the ability to stifle the Tahs pack and cut of their supply of attacking ball. With Wiggles and Sanchez Bath can play a clever tactial game and get them in the right places on the paddock. This will allow their dangerous backs to score and pressure the tahs.

Worcester 28–23 HarlequinsNot too much in the front rows and one a piece in the locks with Quins combo slightly stronger. Worcester take the backrow with a touch more balance and would get on top at the breakdown. Wuss stronger at halfback and 12 and take the back 3 with a good unit. Paacks pretty tight but Wuss a level up in the backline take this one at home.

Worcester 24-22 HarlequinsScrum edge to Quins but feel both could be under pressure against some of the better front rows in the league. Lineout could be similar against better sides. Think the Quins 2nd row is lacking a bit of mobility. Will do well carrying wise but could be outworked at the rucks in the wet. Hard to split the sides at the breakdown. Halfbacks one a piece and both offer good control overall. Too soon for ALB for me hasn't really stepped up at senior level yet. Think there is more about the Worc backs in an attacking sense but Quins looking strong kicking wise and defensively. Would possibly consider Slade 15. Hernandez 12. Senfortin 13. for the wet Steve to give the extra boot in midfield. Hard to separate here. Its the ability of the Worc wings to make something out of nothing that edges this. Wet weather and Steve would dominate territory in this one.

Worcester 20 – 23 HarlequinsQuins have gone with a heavy duty pack, and that will be a real challenge for the Worcester side. Fancy Quins to dominate possession, and their big backs will have a big threat against the more flair players that Worcester have gone with. Equally, I’d fancy Milner Skudder and Naholo to do some damage. I reckon Quins will just have too much ball and will win this one in a low scoring gameWorcester – Front row looks solid to me, might struggle a bit against the real scrummaging front rows but otherwise not too bad. Back row looks balanced, but Smith’s rating will depend on how he goes, although you’ve obviously got Warbs. Too early for Treadwell to start other than in Euro games for me, probably the same with Leinart-Brown too as you have Bennett. Bench players are good, but Sisi is probably a bit weak, and don’t know much about Ruskin.Quins – Dominant pack in wet weather conditions, if you’re playing tactical kicking type game then fine for me, would be a tough opponent for any side in the league.

Worcester Warriors 30 - 26 HarlequinsProbably influenced by Quins picking a wet weather team, while Warriors have a lot more attacking players and assumed its in good conditions. Quins pack perfect for conditions if wet weather, backs got good variety and kicking games - just not sure if the bench is quite right, would start Kruis as well. Worcester can punish teams with limited ball as do see the Quins pack winning the battle there.

Worcester Warriors 25-28 HarlequinsWorcester front 5 lacks a bit of experience and leadership, whereas Quins have plenty of it. I can’t see Worcester getting on the front foot enough to really hurt Quins. That said, they have sparkling backs who can score off scraps, which keeps them in the game, but Quins will have enough control from the back and half backs to get the job done.

Worcester 26-29 HarlequinsQuins massive and physical and can see their front 5 completely dominating Worcester making this a great away win.

Worcester Warriors 25 - 22 HarlequinsClose up front with neither side really getting an upper hand, again same story in the line out, with Wood and Mumm shining lights for both sides. Warriors are more ingrossed at the breakdown and can really hamper the Quins attack. Quins have some good talent on show but perhaps lack a little creativity in midfield. Warriors with Roberts getting them good gainline success, look sharp especially when Naholo and Skudder get the ball in space. Steve - I think for wet weather I'd be looking at JMH at 12 and Kearney at 15, allows for tactical kicking as well as creativity for when in attack. Prop - Treadwell perhaps a little early to start. Otherwise I would consider swapping Kubs and Thomas in terms of impact and solidity.

Leicester Tigers 29–27 SharksNot much in a great scrum battle but Tigers just sneak the engine room with PSDT no form. Tigers just take the backrow by a smidge but a very good battle. Little in the 9’s bit Lambie better than Burns currently. Not much in the centre battle but Tigers a touch stronger in the back 3. Another tight game with Tigers sneaking it at home.

Leicester Tigers 28-26 SharksFairly even in the front row with Elliot helping Tigers here. 2nd row a bit more for Tigers with their partnership. Not a lot with the back row but feel Louw will get on top of Alberts here. 1 a piece in halfbacks and centres but Tigers will have better ball. Outwide I think Tigers are well set for a close game and taking key breaks in the gaps in defence. A strong Sharks bench but also a good experienced Tigers bench which will close out the game.

Leicester Tigers 30-24 SharksSmall edges to Tigers pretty much across the board against a Sharks team who have quality but lack form. Pretty routine home win.

Leicester Tigers 24 - 19 SharksAgain a dominant pack that Tigers can put out, but not sure if their centre combination and back three are there to take full advantage of the ball they can secure. If they could get a top class creative centre then it turns closish games into potential big winning margins.

Leicester Tigers 30 -24 SharksClose up front, big names in both front rows but form an issue. Great back row battle, think the power of Sharks flankers matches up well with Tigers, probably about equal around the park. Prefer Sharks halfbacks, but rest of the backs would go to the Tigers side. With the bench quality, and home advantage, they take this one

Leicester Tigers 24-20 SharksHard to separate the sides at the set piece but feel Tigers can edge the breakdown with Louw, Lobbe & Bast all chipping in. Halfbacks edge to Sharks while midfield is one a piece. More about the Tigers back three but form becoming an issue for Brown. Good impact off the bench for Tigers as well. Tight game but better ball on show for Tigers gives them the win.

Leicester Tigers 23 - 22 Sharks

Leicester Tigers 30-28 SharksEven in the pack. Really don't see Mafi as good enough for the pack. Corbs needs some form also. Would say sharks half backs better but they are in poor form like most of the sharks. Can see Leicesters more dangerous back 3 winning this for them

Leicester Tigers 23 - 27 SharksTigers match up the Sharks pack and gets them some go forward ball. This allows Burns to get the likes of Basteraud, Mitchell and Kolbe on the front foot and on the attack. Sharks will fight back, but there is just enough from the Tigers side to see away the Sharks.

Last edited by Ozzy3213 on Sun 19 Jul 2015, 10:08 pm; edited 1 time in total